FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
AND LAWRENCE PARK
Make the Road New York and the Latin American Integration Center
WHEN: Wednesday, October 1, 2008 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm.
WHERE: New York City Fire Museum, 278 Spring Street, Manhattan (between Varick and Hudson Streets)
WHO:
Staff, members, philanthropists, elected officials, advocates, and
supporters of Make the Road New York come together to celebrate Make
the Road New York’s remarkable achievements during the first year after
the merger of Make the Road by Walking and the Latin American
Integration Center. Honorees in attendance: Terence M. O’Sullivan,
General President, Laborers International Union of North America; Janet
Murguía, President and CEO, National Council of La Raza; Lawrence Park,
Executive Director, New York State Trial Lawyers Association; and noted
activist and philanthropic leader Vincent McGee. Elected officials
scheduled to attend include: Congressman Anthony Weiner, Congresswoman
Nydia Velazquez, New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, New
York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr., New York City Council
Member Hiram Monserrate, and New York State Senator Eric Schneiderman.
WHY:
Over the past twelve months, Make the Road New York made unprecedented
strides in combating injustice, fostering democratic participation, and
upholding public accountability for New York’s immigrant communities.
Noteworthy accomplishments include:
- Won a citywide Executive
Order requiring all New York City agencies to provide comprehensive
translation and interpretation services for the two million New Yorkers
who are still learning English;
- Expanded our adult
literacy program to provide over thirty simultaneous English as a
second language, citizenship, Spanish language literacy, and computer
classes throughout the City;
- Won over $4 million dollars for exploited immigrant workers who had worked in unsafe conditions or for as little as $3 per hour;
- Created
serious consequences for unscrupulous landlords who unlawfully harass
tenants to push them out of rent-regulated housing by passing the
Tenant Protection Act, which enables victimized tenants to take their
landlords to court for harassment where they face steep fines for
lawless behavior; and
- Registered over 10,000 new
citizens to vote and knocked on over 20,000 doors to facilitate
electoral participation by low-income people of color.
photo opportunity with honorees, Make the Road New York co-Executive
Directors and members, and elected officials scheduled for 7:40 p.m.
Candid photo opportunities available throughout event. Interviews with
honorees and Make the Road New York staff or members available upon
request.
the Road New York, a 4000 member strong grass-roots organization, works
to promote equity, opportunity and democracy for low-income workers and
families in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.